Hi, just wondered if there is an equivalent in WA/Perth so that i can have a browse online and cost up items to help in the decision as to pack or throw/sell before the move.

thanks

What sort of items were you thinking of? Generally speaking, buy up big where you have good shops, with a wide choice of products at reasonable (some would say cheap) prices - the UK - and bring it with you.

If it's something specific like TVs or other entertainment goods, look up JB Hi Fi http://www.jbhifi.com.au/ to get an idea of choice and price. It can take a hell of a long time for new products to hit Perth, and often not at a reasonable price.

Electrical items really is what we are thinking about otherwise will have to invest in lots of plug adaptors!! Everything from kettles, toasters, food processors, hairdryers etc to TV's, DVD players etc, washing machine, tumble dryers.

Thought that perhaps if there was an equivalent to say argos i could have a look online to gage some idea of cost.

Is the voltage the same or will my hairdryer operate at super low speed only!

It would be much cheaper to get the plugs changed or buy adaptors than replace that little lot. Try these websites:
http://www.retravision.com.au/Home.aspx#/webspecial
http://www.thegoodguys.com.au/osborn.../TopCategories
http://www.rickhart.com.au/
http://www.fridgeandwashercity.com.au/
http://www.kambos.com.au/

There is nowhere near the choice here, as you will see when you go searching. You can manage without a tumble dryer in Perth.

These are the main ones in Perth and it is possible to get discounts by haggling. You can also buy second-hand from sites like ebay, gumtree, quokka (also newspaper), garage sales, notices at shopping centres, etc.

Stores like Big W, KMart and Target sell smaller electrical goods, such as kitchen and bathroom items. I'm pretty certain that your hairdryer would work as normal here, but perhaps someone who uses one would be able to confirm.

Thank you Helen for all that info and links, will have a look at those sites. Did wonder whether would need a tumble dryer! Will leave that one behind then!

Some people can't live without them, but it only rains on and off from about May to September, with plenty of warm sunny days in that time. They can be expensive to run and they keep putting up the power charges here. We've never had a tumble dryer, so I can confirm that you can survive without one.

We bought lots of UK extension leads with us & just changed the plug on them rather than changing plugs on every item. Our television, xboxes, wii, amp, UK phone are all plugged in to a UK extension lead behind the television. Much easier than changing lots of plugs. Also remember things like phone chargers plugs can't be changed.

The plug has been changed on my hairdryer though (can't be doing with fiddling about with a plug adapter in the bathroom) & that runs at the same speed still

Alison x

Technically speaking you should make sure your equipment is less or equal to 2400W (e.g. kettles) as normal outlets are rated at 10A instead of 13A. (I suspect the wires in the wall are the same and rated at 15A but I'm not an electrician so I might not be right on that bit.)

Yep, bring lots of extension leads and powerboards. A lot of Aussie houses are lacking in powerpoints so you end up with spaghetti everywhere. I'm in a two bed unit and apart from the kitchen it has a grand total of THREE powerpoints

Three!!!! That is bizarre

I've only lived in one house here so can't comment on the general rule for power points (we've got loads). However I can say our house came with quite a few mystery switches.

The headline price for a new house build often only includes a few power sockets, in strange places, such that its easy and cheap to wire.

The builder then stings the purchaser for 'extras', putting sensible power sockets in. Enhancing the profit margin.

If it's an investment property, they might well not want to pay for it, since they don't really care if the renter is going to have a hard time.

We brought at least 10 socket strips, a few double adapters and a dozen or so spare UK plugs and have ended up using the lot of them. As far as knowing what to ship from the UK, just bring everybloodything and a whole lot more. Save yourself the time comparing the prices, virtually nothing is cheaper here. If in doubt: Bring it. Just make sure you conform to the customs regulations: no foodstuffs, etc.

Lost track of the number of times I've thought how glad I am that we brought such 'n such.

I brought 50 (seriously!) adaptors from Singapore and ended up using all of them. Just bought another 7 on a trip back there at the weekend.

(They were cheap. We have lots of sockets. I think my husband must eat the adaptors.)

I bought an uk-oz adapter in big w for 7 bucks last week for the one charger i use from the uk . Just replugged everything else inc power boards to start with .

there is no argos type shop in aus , nearest would be, big w, target, k mart etc .